all i need // l.p {au}

epilogue

I sat on the porch with my husband. We now lived in the country, still in New York, but it was something I could never have foreseen. Our house was white and small, but it was all that we needed.

We've both been retired for about ten years now, having decided to spend time with each other and our children/grandchildren.

That's something else I could never have foreseen: children. There's Violet, our first born, who grew up to have two children of her own and be the owner of a small boutique near New York City. Finn, our middle child, was born with aspergers, but he has grown up to be passionate about photography and is about to get married. Imogen is the youngest, who just graduated with her phD and now a researcher, and also just had her first baby.

I never thought I would be a mother, let alone to three, but they are my pride and joy and I love them with all my heart.

"What are you thinking about?" Liam asked. I turned to face my husband and he was still just as handsome as the first day I saw him. His hair was graying and his skin was somewhat wrinkled, but he was beautiful.

I shrugged. "How my life turned out to be something completely different than I expected."

"Is that bad?" he smiled.

"No. When I was younger, this," I gestured to the green grass and trees in front of me, "was everything I wanted to stay away from. But now, looking back, I was just scared. I was scared to be happy and commit my life to something." My voice hitched and I knew tears were coming.

"Don't cry, love," Liam said gently. "You don't want the kids and our friends asking you what's wrong."

He was right, I didn't want them asking questions. All three of our kids were coming over with their spouses (or soon to be spouse) and some of our closest friends for dinner. Liam and I hosted a dinner every month so that we didn't lose personal contact with our loved ones. I hadn't seen Imogen in quite some time because of her research and giving birth, so it was the first time we were going to meet our granddaughter.

Everyone arrived a half hour later, Violet struggling with seven pizza boxes in her hands. I was never one to cook, so on family gatherings we usually got pizza or other take out food.

"Let me help you those," Liam offered, grabbing half of the boxes from her.

***

"She's beautiful, Imogen," I said as she handed me her newborn. We were sitting in the living room, catching up.

"She also sleeps like an angel," she laughed. "She's only woken up Kory and I a few times."

"The complete opposite of you," I told her, remembering that I barely got any sleep after she was born.

"Well, I'm ready for this pizza," Niall interrupted, going for a plate.

"Dear, you need to wait until it's time to eat," Sarahi chastised him. They had gotten married not too long after Liam and I. We did almost everything together, the four of us. I was happy that I had people to call my best friends; they had helped us with so much and I hoped that we did the same for them.

One other thing that had changed in my life was that I was no longer in contact with Tristan. Many years ago, he had basically dropped off the face of the planet. He stopped texting and whenever I tried to reach him, he wouldn't answer. There were times when I wondered if he ended up with Ivy or if he met someone else. I didn't dwell too long on this though because if he didn't want me in his life, I needed to let him go.

"Go ahead, mate," Liam told him and everyone lined up to get food after Niall.

After everyone had finished eating, the adults were sitting in the living room while Violet's kids were playing in the next room. I wasn't sure why this gathering was making me so emotional, but I was almost in tears again.

Finn was now showing off his latest pictures. He had recently taken a trip with his fiance to Italy, which made me so proud because there were times when he was growing up that I thought I would need to care for him always.

"Do you like them, mom?" he turned to me.

"I love them, sweetheart," I smiled.

"Why are you crying?" he asked without emotion, more as a general question instead of being out of worry.

I shook my head. "It's nothing."

"Are you sure? You've been really quiet all night," Violet commented.

"Really, it's nothing. I've just been thinking of my life and without Liam here, none of you would be a part of it. I'm just really happy."

"Who knew you'd end up being such a sap," Niall chuckled, which earned a swat on the arm from Sarahi.

I laughed. "Yeah, who knew," I said and sat back on the couch. Niall was right. When I first met him and Liam, I was a completely different person. I didn't like showing my emotions and I didn't believe in love or having children. I had changed, but it was for the best and I knew that this is right where I wanted to be.

Liam took my hand in his and I felt a shiver run up my spine, knowing I had made the right decision to marry him.

this is so cheesy, i'm sorry. i feel like i always end my stories with a sad ending and i wanted logan to end up happy, even though her life turned out different than what she expected.

anyway, please vote and comment and thank you if you've stuck with me. xx zoe

if you like my writing, i do have other stories that i would love for you to check out.(: